ALONE AMONG HUMANITY

Th overwhelming reason why, in November 2004, I voted
Republican for the first time in a presidential election, was
the belief that George Bush was more likely than John Kerry to understand the danger posed by Iran. I hoped that, through his leadership, the United States would use every means necessary to either destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program or topple the Islamic regime before it acquired those weapons.

The past two years have demonstrated that being able to recognize the face of evil is not sufficient in the war against
our enemies. Good judgment, clear thinking, steadiness of
purpose, and effective communication are equally vital to the cause. Bush's unwillingness to grapple with diverse viewpoints and weigh their merits, to understand and explain to the nation the full price that victory required, and to recognize incompetence and quickly root it out, have branded him unworthy of the challenge that lies ahead.

Although the ringleader of incompetence, Donald Rumsfeld, is now well into retirement, his replacement, former CIA director Robert Gates, is a reminder of the adage "Be careful of what
you pray for." Gates is a friend and admirer of some of Israel's
most vicious critics, including Jimmy Carter, James Baker, and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Two years ago, he co-chaired a task force with Brzezinski on U.S. policy in Iran. Their advice: Talk to the Mullahs while pressuring Israel into holding its fire on Iran.

Has the warrior Bush had his claws trimmed by Condi Rice? Is he now planning on letting tiny Israel do the heavy lifting?

Iran, a much deadlier enemy than Iraq, is striving feverishly to acquire the means to rain
destruction on the entire Middle East and Europe. And its delusional leader is convinced he can get away with it, by placing his weapons of choice in the hands of his gullible neighbors.

The President's failings in Iraq have given a noble cause an evil name, and will leave the United States too paralyzed to take the lead in future confrontations.

The great damage that Jimmy Carter inflicted upon the cause
of freedom, through weakness, George Bush has inflicted
through the application of force without intelligent design. And,
in Jerusalem, as America passes the buck, I shudder at the thought that Israel, with a small army and unsteady leaders, is now taking on this challenge, alone among humanity.